The Ministry of International Relations has announced that Honourable Dr. Phenyo Butale will represent Botswana at two high-level events in Changsha, Hunan Province, China, from 10th to 15th June 2025. Dr. Butale is set to participate in the Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Follow-Up Actions of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), as well as the fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE).
The FOCAC Coordinators’ Meeting will serve as a critical platform to review the implementation of commitments made during the FOCAC Beijing Summit held in September 2024. Central to the discussions will be the Beijing Action Plan (2025–2027), which outlines strategic collaboration in key sectors including infrastructure development, the digital economy, poverty reduction, and green development. The meeting will bring together foreign ministers and senior officials from across Africa alongside their Chinese counterparts to deepen cooperation and align efforts toward shared development goals.
Dr. Butale’s participation underscores Botswana’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with China and ensuring that the benefits of the China-Africa partnership translate into tangible socio-economic gains for citizens. His engagements at the Ministerial Meeting will include high-level dialogue on resource mobilisation, technological partnerships, and sustainable growth pathways for African nations.
Following the Coordinators’ Meeting, Dr. Butale will attend the fourth edition of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE), themed “China and Africa Together Toward Modernisation.” The Expo is designed to boost trade and investment ties between African countries and China, providing a valuable platform for business networking, policy exchange, and strategic partnerships.
Botswana will use the CAETE Expo to spotlight its investment potential in priority sectors such as smart mining, e-commerce, and infrastructure development. By showcasing Botswana’s investor-friendly climate and expanding economic sectors, the country aims to attract Chinese investors and position itself as a gateway to regional markets in Southern Africa.
Alongside his participation in official meetings and Expo sessions, Dr. Butale is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with key stakeholders, including government officials, private sector leaders, and prospective investors. These meetings are expected to explore opportunities for collaboration on water infrastructure, digital innovation, trade facilitation, and industrial development.
Honourable Dr. Butale will be accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes Honourable Tiroeaone Ntsima, Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship; Honourable Onneetse Ramogapi, Minister of Water and Human Settlement; senior government officials; and representatives from key national institutions such as the Botswana Investment and Trade Centre (BITC), Botswana Meat Commission (BMC), Business Botswana (BB), and Water Utilities Corporation (WUC).
Botswana’s presence at both the FOCAC Coordinators’ Meeting and the CAETE Expo reflects the country’s active diplomacy and strategic efforts to forge mutually beneficial partnerships with international stakeholders. As global economic dynamics evolve, Botswana continues to leverage multilateral platforms to secure opportunities that support national development priorities and enhance its global competitiveness.
